Miller honored at Camp Kiwanis

Boys & Girls Club service rewarded with special bell

Mike Miller's decision as a young man to help others has paid off, not only in a lifetime of memories, but with a bell to be installed at Camp Kiwanis to mark his 35 years of service to the Boys & Girls Club of Atlanta.

"I grew up in a children's home, and I wanted to do something where I worked with kids," said Miller, manager of Social Circle Better Hometown. "I felt like someone reached out and saved my life, and I wanted to be able to do that for other kids."

Kiwanis of Atlanta began Camp Kiwanis with the Boys & Girls Club in 1951. Miller retired about a year ago after serving in one capacity or another with the Boys & Girls Club for 35 years. He helped start branches of the club in Social Circle, Madison and Monroe and during the last five years of his career with the club he worked not only as a camp director but also as a regional director. Miller says the club is vital to these areas because there isn't much for children to do, so being involved with the Boys & Girls Club keeps them off the street and it also helps them to learn values and build their character.

"I was not expecting it," said Miller, of the award. "I was truly humbled... I was honored and privileged to do that work and while it (recognition) was never something I wanted for myself, it shows all the children coming to the camp that you appreciated your career."

Miller added that there have been only six directors of the camp and he's known all of them and knows the current director who he says is, "doing a really good job."

"I want people to continue to support these organizations," said Miller. "It is so important because the children here, especially in Social Circle, Madison and Monroe, don't have a lot of opportunities that kids in the more urban communities have. I want everyone to support them, because I certainly do."

Miller will be honored at a formal reception in Atlanta on March 19. His bell will be placed at Camp Kiwanis.